Chief Scientist: Act Now or Live Through Deadly Post Antibiotic Resistance Era

Which is worse – a legitimate threat or the urgency of forceful solutions?

Leprosy. Bubonic Plague. Consumption. Dying from childbirth. These are periods in history that summon shudders of horror and gratitude to move beyond – but we seem to be coming around full circle.

In only the latest round of stern warnings about the antibiotic bubble, Australia’s chief scientist is warning that if something drastic is not done soon, even small issues like sore throats and minor infections could be deadly one day not so far off. “There is now a genuine threat of humanity returning to an era where mortality due to common infections is rife,” a new report says.

It was only in May that the UK’s chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, sounded an alarm. “If we don’t take action, in 20 years’ time we could be back in the 19th century where infections kill us as a result of routine operations.” She had said this at a World Health Assembly in Geneva. Beware of urgent warnings - we would do well to pay attention to the offered “solutions” below – which are more alarming than the threat.